13 1/2 Y/O Rat Terrier W/ Bladder Cancer

Hi,

I am new to this forum.  My Sparky has been been diagnosed w/ a tumor in the bladder.  Uretha area.  Inoperable.  I have been reading these posts and have come up with some very good treatment ideas.  I am wondering with these treaments are you still having to have the bladder emptied?  As of now that it what I am having to do.  The catheter(sp) doesn't sound like a good idea b/c of infections.  I haven't started him on meds yet.  Just found all of this out as of Thursday 3/15/07.  Just did the ultra sound yesterday.  No results until Tuesday.  Can't get Prioxicam until Monday.  Sparky seems to be healthy in every other way.  Appetite etc.  A little lathergic but very alert.  I know that he is uncomfortable.  With his bladder being full.  I am willing to try anything that will help us get through this.

Thanks,

Kim

Dogs are also the only other animals that can prostatic hypertrophy.  Make sure it is not a prostate Ca, they can treat it with hormonal.

I am not a Vet, but if it is transitional cell cancer and superficial only then intra bladder chemo may be effective just like in  humans.  If invasive then most animals get surgery (mainly due to lack of radiation facilities for animals, but they do exist)  If you can and once again, just like humans , you can try bladder sparing approaches.  This will be more expensive, but just like humans, if it works the pet will be more functional.